Scenes from our Kids Beginners Karate Class

We have three Kids Karate Beginners Classes on Wednesdays (from 4 to 7pm) and two on Fridays, from 4 to 6pm.

Generally, the youngest students will attend that first hour (4 to 5), then the next oldest, and then the next oldest in the following two hours. This ensures that all students learn with their peers and at their own particular levels as well.

Class always begins with one student reciting our karate creed. This sets the mood and instills a sense of seriousness for the subsequent practice. Here, the boy in the camouflage gi is speaking the creed below.

After the creed, class begins. Depending upon whom is present, we might break the class down into two classes: one for one-on-one attention and true newcomers, and the other for the rest of the class. A good portion of the beginners karate class is dedicated to the basics. Below, you can see Sensei Tom demonstrating forearm blocks, while Sensei Mat is walking about, correcting the stances.

Sometimes beginners need extra help in positioning their arms and feet. Below, you can see Sensei Mat giving the class instructions on how to perform a high rise block, while Sensei Tom is helping another student, one-on-one, to achieve her goal.

"Beginners" class is just that - it's for beginners. Repetition, along with fun moves, is the key to gaining and maintaining the student's attention. Below, Sensei Tom is demonstrating a "hook punch". Notice the sensei in the middle - he's carrying a foam blocker that he uses to provide the children with a target to strike.

"Talk" is just fine and peachy, but actually showing what happens when someone tries to kick you is what gets the student to truly make the connection. Below, Sensei Mat is showing the class how one young student can prepare to block a side kick.

We teach a number of useful kicks in the Beginners Karate class. After practicing balancing on one foot, the senseis will move to some of the more challenging kicks, like that side kick the student above had blocked. Below, notice the fact the students are facing the mirror - this gives them a great opportunity to see how their stances and forms actually are.

Speaking of kicks, knowing how to execute an effective front kick is a basis of many Martial Arts moves. But kicking in place can get mighty boring indeed....which is why our senseis often will let the kids kick them up and down the mats. Below, Sensei Mat and Sensei Anthony are starting up the front kick sequence.

Now, here's where Amato's Goju-ryu and its senseis really shine. No matter what skill level, our students are shown how to succeed in whatever they try. One time, two times, 4 times....our senseis do not stop until the children accomplish their goal and feel really great about themselves. Below, Sensei Tom is coaching one student on keeping his hands up while kicking forward.

Size matters not! Our 6' tall Sensei Mat (and Sensei Tom and Sensei Danny and Sensei ....) always bring the shield or blocker down to the right height for any student. Patience and calmness are key here; our senseis excel in this (and I should know - my entire family, including myself, attends Amato's Goju-ryu and I see this every day. I cannot imagine a better karate dojo!).

Remember what I had said about getting to one's level? Below, Sensei Mat has set up the situation so that the child simply cannot miss her kick....and hence, gain that feeling of satisfaction that she accomplished what was asked. This is but one example of how all of our senseis go the extra mile for their students. It really helps build confidence.

When class goes really well, the senseis will move the kids to the blue room. The mats here are thicker and a bit softer, making it perfect for front rolls and other fun things. Below, Sensei Mat and Sensei Tom are overseeing two children roll in tandem. Sensei Mat has just given a pep talk, while Sensei Tom is monitoring the second students' progress. Both karate students completed the front rolls admirably.

By this time, you might think Beginners Karate is all about, well, karate. And while you might be right, there's more to karate than simply the moves! Speed, agility, confidence and the like all combine to help students master the basics. And that's why the senseis will often set up an obstacle course through which the students can dash. Below, the students first crawl under the bo-staff that's being held up by the four shields, then do a jump-front kick over the three hand pads, then block 4 hits from the black belt, then execute a front roll that, alas, isn't visible in the picture, and finally get to kick the stuffing out of the red shield being held by the black belt.

Say that three times fast, I dare you. :-)

Finally, after a dynamic lesson of drills and kicks and punches and blocks and all that fun stuff, we often end beginners' karate class with a game of "Ninja Ball." Ninja Ball consists of one sensei rolling the medicine ball while the student executes a jump-front kick. Below, one of our black belts is demonstrating how to do this. That ball you see, by the way, was moving at a very high rate of speed.

Kids Beginners Karate is one of our most popular classes (and for good reason, what with the excellent instructors). Want to learn more? You do so at our Schedule page.

Please continue to enjoy your visit!

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